Week 6 Fantasy Football Projections: Top Options on Monday Night Football

When the San Diego Chargers host the Denver Broncos on Monday night, the game will feature a slew of solid fantasy options. The pickings are so good, in fact, that this list didn't include mainstays such as Antonio Gates, Willis McGahee, Malcolm Floyd or Eric Decker.

So which players will be the top fantasy options on Monday evening, and why? Which players will you want to own if you've got a fantasy matchup coming down to the wire?

I'm glad you asked.

Demaryius Thomas, WR, Denver Broncos

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The Chargers are a mixed bag against wide receivers. In the first four games of the season, they gave up a total of 75.3 fantasy points to opposing wide receivers. Then last week, they gave up a whopping 53.8 fantasy points to the New Orleans Saints receivers.

While I think the Denver passing attack is closer to New Orleans than the other teams the Chargers have faced, I don't think the Broncos will put up those sorts of numbers. That's while you'll only see Thomas on this list.

But don't get it twisted—he'll have a very good game. The Chargers aren't going to be able to slow down the physical and fast Thomas.

On one hand, I worry about Rivers in this game. The Broncos have the 11th ranked pass defense and our capable of pressuring the quarterback with Elvis Dumervil and Von Miller.

On the other hand, this is Rivers we are talking about, and the Broncos are allowing 17.4 fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks per week. Rivers hasn't been spectacular this year, but I like this matchup for him at home quite a bit.

Ryan Mathews, RB, San Diego Chargers

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Generally, the Broncos have been solid against the run. Until last week, that is, when the running backs of the New England Patriots ran for 253 yards and two touchdowns.

Expect the Chargers to have taken a long look at that game tape. While the Broncos were probably vulnerable to the run trying to safeguard against New England's passing game, you can bet the Chargers will look to replicate New England's success on the ground.

That should mean a big game for Mathews. Add on his value as a receiver out of the backfield, and you've got a big game on tap for the young running back.

You've got to love Manning in this game. The Chargers give up 18.1 fantasy points per week to opposing quarterbacks, and Manning has only failed to reach 20 points or more once this season.

All of those concerns about Manning's game suffering after a year off to injury? Yeah, I think they've pretty much gone out the window. Manning has resumed his place as an elite quarterback this season.

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